"I fled from Ipeq on the last day of Rova in 4708 AR."
"I woke up on the morning of this day in my bed - naked, and covered in blood. I couldn't remember anything. But when they found the corpse of a guard in the garden of the palace mutilated by a wild beast and some witnesses whose testimonies all pointed to me being the beast, I fled." Haidar confesses.
"I wandered about the lands further and further from Ipeq until I stumbled over the ruins of the Nethys Temple."
Heshan decided that checking on their prisoner would be more interesting. Thus he was with Manuun and Roryx.
"What were you running away from. An Emir isn't exactly a position you abandon without a good reason."
"I always thought it was a wound I got when a leopard hunt went wrong. What would En-Nebi have to do with that? It was a gift from an influential family." Haidar tells.
"I was known as a wise noble leader. But with the curse I'd be known as a unpredictable wild beast that rips innocent people apart. I couldn't live with the shame of everyone looking down on me."
Omari is grimfaced as he pronouces this sentence on a (possibly) innocent man: "Haidar, we will not endanger the folk of Kelmarane, but we will do our best to aid you. Tomorrow, I will try to break this curse on you. I warn you, this is not likely to succeed, I am one of Erastil's humbler servants and the enchantment on that blade is potent... I promise you my best efforts to free you from this curse, but you will stay in this prison until cured; your alternate form cannot be allowed to run free."
***
Lycanthropy
A creature that catches lycanthropy becomes an afflicted lycanthrope, but shows no symptoms (and does not gain any of the template's adjustments or abilities) until the night of the next full moon, when the victim involuntarily assumes animal form and forgets his or her own identity. The character remains in animal form until the next dawn and remembers nothing about the entire episode (or subsequent episodes) unless he makes a DC 20 Will save, in which case he becomes aware of his condition.A remove disease or heal spell cast by a cleric of 12th level or higher cures the affliction, provided the character receives the spell within 3 days of the infecting lycanthrope's attack. Alternatively, consuming a dose of wolfsbane (Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook 560) gives an afflicted lycanthrope a new Fortitude save to recover from lycanthropy.
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"I always thought it was a wound I got when a leopard hunt went wrong. What would En-Nebi have to do with that? It was a gift from an influential family." Haidar tells.
"We should the blade to the local priest of Nethys. he said while it is magically enhanced, there is also a curse laid upon it. Whenever you land a particularly mighty blow with it, it will inflict that curse you suffer on the bearer. It is likely the cause of all these unfortunate events. Would the family that gifted it to you have any reason to hate you?"
[dice=Know(Local)]1d20+9
Gabina is shocked when Omari brings the news about who they found. "A lycanthrope, here? Those are dangerous evil creatures. And even if some good is left in it - it is a tremendously hard affliction to cure. There are maybe one or two clerics of Erastil in all of Katapesh who would be able to do that."
"You mean someone cursed me on purpose?" Haidar gasps.
He stares blankly at the bars, absorbed in his thought of the ramifications.
Ohrmizd smiles back at Haleen pointing his heart with a finger "There is only a single room in here"
"Oh." Haleen voices her surprise, reevaluating the conversation so far.
Into the awkward silence she adds "That's a bolt out of the blue."
"Oh, yeah, I have only crossed half desert and defeated a whole gnoll tribe to find you, not to forget the cacti and the pugwampi of course" Ohrmizd starts to laugh very openly "I guess that surely happens all day around with you"
"But that is ok, why don't we just have some drink together while our friends interrogate Haidar?" the Keleshite brings a deck beautifully decorated with gnolls, genies and gods as the different suits "Do you know if they got some new spirits at the bar?"
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"Yes, lets get some drink." Haleen agrees and leaves with Ohrmizd.
"Actually that never happened before." Haleen starts to explain herself. "We always were close before I left, but I never thought about our relationship in a romantic way."
"Now you're all grown up and can take care of yourself and don't need my help anymore. And it's really sweet of you that you came to my rescue. But that hasn't changed how I see you. You're family to me. Like a little brother that has now grown taller than his sister."
"You mean someone cursed me on purpose?" Haidar gasps.
He stares blankly at the bars, absorbed in his thought of the ramifications.
"It is possible they did not know it was cursed" - Roryx points out.
"In any case, you know our commitment - you will not be forgotten in this cell" - Roryx nods, and takes his leave.
"I will meet you in the morrow" - he nods to Heshan and Manuum, then goes back to his quarters.
"You mean someone cursed me on purpose?" Haidar gasps.
He stares blankly at the bars, absorbed in his thought of the ramifications.
Omari is somber as he replies "It's possible, either that or whoever gave you that blade did not know about the curse. Either way, it is what it is, and you will stay here until cured. We will make it as comfortable as practical."
***
Tomorrow, Omari returns and tries his magic on Haidar...
After casting, Omari will check Haidar with Detect Magic and discover that he stills radiates a cursed aura...
"I am sorry Haidar, I have not been able to break the curse... I will come visit you regularly to try again. "
"It's not like someone could have cursed you from out of the blue." Heshan chuckled... but deemed it inappropriate as he coughed.
"Do you know anyone who may have had a grudge on you in your home town?"
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The next trip to the Refuge of the All-Seeing-Eye together with Father Zastoran is something special. The enthusiasm with which he examines everything in detail is contagious at first. But after another hour at the third, fourth or fifth mural that might become old. Not so for Zastoran. He takes notes, and makes sketches to capture any knowledge he can get.
An interesting thing to learn from the priest of Nethys is, that if a priest of Nethys approaches the altar in the basement, then no snake is summoned. "The clergy didn't want to get eaten by a snake. That's only for people who don't belong close to the altar." he comments dryly. He later admits, that it is just the holy symbol that has to be presented, as the magic to properly identify a cleric of Nethys is too complex for any practical purpose.
The destroyed library brings tears to Father Zastoran's eyes.
The last project for the day Father Zastoran has is about the mist. He casts delay poison and then sets up a contraption to collect the essence of the mist in several vials by means of condensation, and absorbtion.
After another hour in which Zastoran studies the columns with the spells, he casts delay poison again and collects the apparatus from the mist filled corridor. For this day, he resists the urge to bath in the mist himself.
After another hour of walking back to Kelmarane with Father Zastoran chewing your ears off about the wonders of magic, and what this mist might be or not you tell him good bye and some might hope to not have to hear him for a few days.
"And you have not yet seen the best of myself Haleen" Ohrmizd laughs cockily trying to make Haleen feel more relaxed "Let's just play some cards and forget. Walking around with Heshan and Man is making me too sensitive. A cup of vodka or whatever they sell here will compensate"
---
"That's a pity Father, I was getting fond of the snake meat" Ohrmizd though does as instructed using Nethys symbol to approach the altar on the new visits to the temple.
The man is happy to accompany the man back to Kelmarane, and more happy the old one will not tell them anymore about going to explore the ruined temple in the outskirts of the town "That was interesting. As the god of destruction, do you think Nethys can teach Heshan the secrets of fireball?"
---
Aside to playing cards with Haleen every now and then and interesting himself for her advances on making a business out of the Slave Market, Ohrmizd discusses with Soraya how to better take care of Sarenrae's heritage. Finding a lot of coin will be necessary, they decide to start with the restoration of the monastery and to achieve it they contact with a group of monks to let them know the place is available if they are up to send stone and stone workers to fix the place. While the different contacts work, they two clean carefully the place, selling the rotted furniture and cutting the overgrown vegetation. They also make a well and a vegetable patch in the cloisters.
With Haleen, Ohrmizd sends letters about a grand competition, hopping that will generate some initial commerce in the place. Likewise he maintains an ear tuned to any need Almah and Garavel might have.
Once the Sarenrites start to arrive to the temple and monastery, Ohrmizd helps Soraya direct them into tasks of looking for stone and artisans to rebuild both ancient structures, as well as support them on finding faith books to make the usual rites.
On his free time Ohrmizd spends hours reading and discussing philosophical dilemmas and paradoxes with Manuun and Heshan, debating battle strategy and tactics with Omari and training in blades and magic with Roryx.
Twice a week he visits Rombard, feeds and plays with the goat cleaning the place for him.
Within the following months Kelmarane blossons into a sprawling city. Some buildings are restored to their former glory. Those who are too damaged or are not worth restoring are removed and new buildings are risen. When the old places where all occupied the area south of Kelmarane was pointed out for further expansion.
Omari together with the congregation of Erastil supports the rebuilding of the city and the acricultural rework of the pesh fields to the east of town. While demolishing a ruin a hidden basement is found. And inside, besides a big nest of rats Omari stumbles over a long dead person with a interestingly carved and wound stick. In bright daylight it becomes clear that this is a bow whose string has rotted away. When Omari informed Gabina about the find, she congratulated him on this sign of Erastil's approval for him.
Manuun spends most of his time caring for his shop. This establishment in the battle market turns out to be a real goldmine. Everyoen visiting Kelmarane comes to the battle market and everyone searching for wares starts there. Besides travellers, travelling merchants and adventurers who are mostly interested in magical potions, he builds a faithful customer base consisting of the wealthy ladies of Kelmarane who buy beauty products from the handsome slyph. Over the time he makes 3000gp of profit.
Haleen met it equally well with her curating the entertainment in the battle market. For the dayly entertainment she engages in fencing battles or brawling for show on the center stage. Or she hires some bard for storytelling or singing. Once a week she organizes something bigger like a bigger group of musicians to perform a concert, some actors to perform a drama, singers for an opera and many more. At first it is tedious work to always have someone to perform, but after a while travelling groups of performers start applying for the gigs. Her business also makes 3000gp during those months.
Roryx enjoys accompanying Father Zastoran to the Refuge of the All-Seeing-Eye.
Even though he is not knowledgeable enough in most of the matters up for discussion and mostly remains in silence, he enjoys listening to the man, and learning from him. So he keeps a diligent watch as the wise man goes on with his exploration.
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As Kelmaranes grows, Roryx finds himself increasingly busier, and vies for an increase of the manpower available to them at any chance he gets. He is however pleased with the fact the guard slowly but steadily gains a measure of control over the city, and the surrounding areas, and makes sure the patrols remain ever attentive. He relies on Gisborne and Gwem to assist him with the task.
He and Swiper keep to their routine of scouting the wilds regularly - the she-dog needs and enjoys the exercise, and Roryx welcomes the temporary isolation and challenge. Whenever possible, he will hunt and bring back game for Almah to cook.
Whatever free time the Magus has, he dedicates to his studies, and to spending time with his companions, their friendship developing as they share food and drink, tales of what has past, and ideas for what may be.
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Ohrmizd is a great pillar of the congregation of Sarenrae. With his tireless support both buildings dedicated to the Dawnflower are restored and some followers are found to populate the monastery too. For his dedication he is rewarded in a festive ceremony with a token a gratitude - a mithral shield with a depiction of Sarenrae embossed and gilded on it.
Roryx becomes a friend of Garavel and earns the full trust of Princess Almah. His job is also a profitable one as he gets a monthly wage. Once towards the end of the first year in Kelmarane, he is summoned in the midst of the night to the palace.
There he is lead by Garavel to what looks like a spontaneous meeting of Princess Almah with a robed, seven foot tall figure wearing a golden mask. Garavel introduces him as "Roryx, our head of the guard and responsible for the safety of Kelmarane." The figure looks at him for a while, before nodding. The sign for Garavel to lead Roryx out again. Later Roryx learns that one of the pactmasters passed through and during receiving a report on Kelmarane from Almah he requested to see him.
Heshan has not so much luck on his business. As his search for lost or buried valueables doesn't result in a constrant stream of warez to sell he loses his shop front in the battle market. His business ends up in one of the old buildings that is still stable enough to be used, and not large enough to be worth taking it down for the space. Heshan's Antiques isn't as profitable as other businesses, but it appeals to a special kind of customers that are interested in the rare and ofthen hard to come by historical items Heshan digs up.
But after a while people show up asking for specific items that can't be bought easily in the other shops. Heshan took notes of all the requests in hopes to be able to fulfil those requests later. This part gets interesting as another person shows up in the shop and offers to fulfil such requests from his 'archaeological excavations' in the greater region around sothern Osirion.
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It was not exactly the kind of start that he was hoping for, but it could be worse.
The building itself was good enough to use, but it was clear that a replacement would be in need soon if he could run a greater profit. One that hasn't quite been enough for such an endeavor. Regardless, it was still the kind of job he was happy to do.
At least his party were doing well too. Snoring and overnight reading aside, he was happy spending his free time with the others at the time. He even slowly but sure began to have interest of the worship of Sarenrae, attending a few sermons at times.
And then he came face to face with a new person with an interesting offer. He decided to stay professional yet genial in response. He did have some questions after all.
Omari does spend most of his time working with the congregation of Erastil to get the newcomers settled and working, but he does find time to make inquiries with the faithful about herb lore and lycanthropy... He also makes time to visit Haidar so he is not forgotten.
He also begins to think about building a proper church for Erastil; holding services in the open air is good, but some days, a hall is nice.
After a few minutes of deliberations, Heshan accepted the offer, shaking hands with the man for future prospects.
Remember, there is only one law in Katapesh: Do as you will, but do not interfere with trade. It is just that some trades, you don't want anyone to know about.
Ohrmizd receives Sarenrae's relic with great pride and honor. Knelt in front of the priests, with the shining mithral shield armed at his arm, he feels for once as a true paladin of the faith "I only wish I do not deceive the hopes you are putting on me. Sarenrae's word will shine in Kelmerane and its environs" she nods and kisses the mithral shield while holding the stare on Soraya as she puts it on his hands.
Guarding the temple during ceremonies, the Keleshite is happy to see Heshan assisting to some of the masses. "Have I told you that fireball is the characteristic blessing mark of many Sarenrite clerics?" Ohrmizd is happy to help Heshan with the basics of the faith and even to provide one of the holy texts "She is the cleansing flames, if you embrace her teachings you soon will be controlling the purifying fire"
Roryx understands his place is most likely not in a palace - for the vast majority of the time, he looks rugged (to say the least) from his frequent travels outside the walls of the city, and walks around heavily armed, with Swiper on his toes.
So he feels somewhat satisfied that Garavel and Princess Almah see slightly past that, and finds himself increasingly satisfied with each visit to the palace for some reason.
Ohrmizd receives Sarenrae's relic with great pride and honor. Knelt in front of the priests, with the shining mithral shield armed at his arm, he feels for once as a true paladin of the faith "I only wish I do not deceive the hopes you are putting on me. Sarenrae's word will shine in Kelmerane and its environs" she nods and kisses the mithral shield while holding the stare on Soraya as she puts it on his hands.
Guarding the temple during ceremonies, the Keleshite is happy to see Heshan assisting to some of the masses. "Have I told you that fireball is the characteristic blessing mark of many Sarenrite clerics?" Ohrmizd is happy to help Heshan with the basics of the faith and even to provide one of the holy texts "She is the cleansing flames, if you embrace her teachings you soon will be controlling the purifying fire"
He turned back towards the inquisitor and nodded. "I do admit that the ability to create flame is an enticing offer."
He considered before patting Ohrmizd on the shoulder. "I am a mere casual follower of her worship and I intend to do so, but if you or your clergy are in need of assistance, I will gladly help them."
With that said, he cracked his back before he grinned. "So how was it making up for lost time with Haleen?"
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In the weeks after the exploration of the monastery Manuun concentrates setting up his business in the battle market. His best customers continues to be Father Zastoran and Manuun often spends his evenings with the priest discussing alchemical problems or the meaning of the various depictions the monasteries which they had found.
Once the business is running smoothly and the moneys starts flowing in, the sylph decides to join one of the caravans back to civilization to spend his money on a chest of fine tea and a nice bow.
Ohrmizd smiles back at Heshan "The flames burn strong inside you, I am sure, you just need to find the way to have them out" and padding his back he adds "Oh well, she is interested, I am sure, it is just she is too focused on making the business grow, you know? What about you, is there no one that makes you burn inside in Kelmerane?"
---
While doing business, Ohrmizd gives the +1 halberd to Manuun "You better sell this one. I am not proficient enough to make a good use of it"
"Do you think you can get me a cloak to enhance my resistance? Those fumes where horribly clouding my mind... and also one of those amulets that makes your skin harder" the Keleshite is happy to pay Manuun in advance and let the man get extra cash through advanced financial accounting.
One day an imposing figure arrives together with some merchants in Kelmarane at dawn. In the battle market the towering human who stands nearly 7 feet in height takes up a spot at the tavern. Wearing sun symbols aroud the neck and a sun tatoo on his forehead, together with the stripes of cloth hanging from his gilden bracelets, inscribed with what might be a prayer or part of holy scripture suggests him to be a pious man.
After ordering a drink, he adresses the crowd - as small as it might be at this early time.
He then sits down and enjoys his glass of watered wine.
Ohrmizd raises his shield stopping the vicious axe of his half-orc friend "Not bad Roryx, but Sarenrae is on my arm now, see how shiny she looks" the Keleshite responds with a swipe of his scimitar the magus deflects with a quick magic push.
The training over the Battlemarket's ring continues for some minutes with pushes forward and back from the two fighters when the voice of the foreigner booms in the structure.
Halting and turning to observe the source of it, Ohrmizd loses his breath for some seconds because of the imposing figure "In the name of The Cleansing Light! Who is this guy?" after a quick gaze to Roryx in order to check if he does recognize him, Ohrmizd performs a bow to his contender "It seems our training finishes here today"
While many of the attendants turn their eyes from the stranger to the heroes he very well calls out, the Keleshite jumps down out of the ring and walks towards the bar while sheathing his scimitar.
"Why do you look for them old fellow?" Ohrmizd makes sure the reliquary shield with the Dawnflower is prominently displayed for the man to see it.
The man puts his right hand on his heart for a greeting with a slight bow and a knowing smile. "I'm Zayifid, traveler of the sand and scrub, a student of all things Sarenrae sees fit to shine upon, and an unwilling bearer of bad news."
"But to not have to repeat myself, I'd prefer if all persons who I'm oblieged to inform would be present first."
Ohrmizd answers the greeting with the same gesture, putting his hand on his heart and making a slight bow "Greetings Zayifid. It is always a great pleasure to meet with a fellow Sarenrite, even if he brings bad omens"
Then turning to the balconies he tries to see if he can spot Manuun working on the alchemy device and makes gestures for him to approach. Then taking a silver coin out of his pouch and looking for one of the young fellows in the place, he offers her the coin "Could you please look for Heshan and Omari? They sure are at his shop and the Erastil's temple respectively"
And finally turning his attention back to the man he makes a gesture for him to sit "I am myself Ohrmizd and my fellow combatant is Roryx. But please, take a sit. There is no reason we cannot have a drink while waiting. You say you are a student of all things Sarenrae, are you an atoned cleric yourself?"
Ohrmizd makes gestures to the barman to serve a couple specialties.
"I do not belong to a single church, if that is what you mean. First and foremost I'm a traveller." Zayifid replies.
Roryx grabs his gear, and fits himself again as Ohrmizd goes to engage the stranger - he is quite happy to let his companion take the lead. Ohrmizd enjoys it, and he is not half bad at the whole 'posing an impressive and respectable figure' thing.
The Magus passes close enough to Ohrmizd so he can notice him, but instead goes to the bar and orders an ale to calm down his parched throat after the spar. Swiper sits down next to him, and they both observe the stranger's discourse.
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"So if you grind and distill basalt fine enough you can extract the essence of fire from the stoone. How interesting, but I assume we need much better tools for that. Although when he disassemble your machine over there we might find a few of those." Manuun spends his afternoon tea discussing alchemical problems with Father Zastoran when the stranger makes his proclamation.
Upon hearing his bold request he steps up to the balcony to check who is calling out to speak with the princess. "He looks like one of Ohrmizd friends. Maybe he is send by the church to claim the temple?"
When Ohrmizd steps up to talk to the stranger Manuun retreats and hurries up to the third storey to inform Garavel and the Princess about the visitor and ask if they should lead him up here. ()
Afterwards he moves back down to the main circle and approaches Ohrmizd and the traveller from the stairs.
"Hello Ohrmizd! Who is your new friend?" he asks, but his eyes stay on the traveller all the time.
"I'll prepare the room for a meeting." Garavel replies to Manuun's request. "Ask Father Zastoran to join this too please."
Ohrmizd pushes a chair with his right foot easing up the place for Manuun to sit "Witness, this is Zayifid, traveler of the sand and scrub, and student of Sarenrae"
Then looking to the traveler "This is Man. Manuun. Our alchemist dungeon delver and great archer of the Katapesh plains"
"Do you often travel alone?" when Manuun explains Garavel requests the presence of everyone on his offices, Ohrmizd nods approvingly "Ok. If you Zayifid indulge us, we can continue our conversation upstairs, with Garavel"
Then with a blink he adds "If you are lucky you might be able to enjoy Almah's presence too"
As the group goes upstairs Ohrmizd let's himself delay a bit, and scans for auras behind the man detect chaos, law, good, evil and magic.
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The messenger first visits the temple and is then redirected to Omari's workshop, where he is working on some arrows. "You say there is a messenger come to speak to the heroes who liberated Kelmarane from the gnolls, and Ohrmzid wants me to come and meet him. I smell an unreasonable request... Very well, I will be along as soon as I make myself presentable."
15 minutes later, Omari joins the group in the meeting room that Garavel has prepared.
The meeting table is set up upstairs. At the entrance to the third floor two of Almah's guards receive the guest and guide him to the meeting room. Garavel sits at the far end of the table, the other two guards standing behind him. He offers Zayifid the seat on the opposite side. Between are the seats for the group as well as Father Zastoran, who has taken the seat to the right of Garavel.
"Welcome to Kelmarane. I'm Garavel - representative of Princess Almah Roveshki. Please introduce yourself and state what message you have."
"I am Zayifid, a traveler, and have walked the billowing sands of Osirion, the westernmost veldt of Nex, and much of our own beloved Katapesh in between. I have seen much in my travels, and have brought the word and redemption of the Dawnflower to many. Yet also have I seen much in the way of cruelty and war in those travels, and it is a warning of such I bring to you today."
"You have distinguished yourselves by defeating the Kulldis. You know that word of the liberation of Kelmarane has reached all the way to the coast by now, and you are enjoying the fruits of that success even as we speak in the form of trade and tax. Yet word spreads not only to friends, but also to enemies. The Carrion King knows of what you’ve done to the Kulldis, and though he did not reply in kind at once, I have heard dire rumors in my travels. Rumors of gnoll tribes gathering on the far slopes of Pale Mountain, tribes united under one banner—the sign of the Carrion King!"
"My path is not one of war. Sarenrae teaches redemption and forgiveness, but I know well that many do not seek these ends, and that war is often inevitable. Yet sometimes, there are other ways. The gnolls are ever a bickering lot, and if the Carrion King has managed to unite these tribes, then his word is mighty indeed. And although I despair to think on the death of any living creature, if the Carrion King’s death would mean that the gnoll tribes would stand down — a war could be averted."
"And so I bring this news to you. I shall not stay long, for I have no desire to be caught up in the folly of battle. But you would do well, heroes, to take my warning to heart. Seek out the Carrion King and bring him low before he raises high the flags of war. You will find him in the House of the Beast, the rumors say, an ancient temple upon the far side of Pale Mountain from which he has long ruled. May your efforts be swift and just, that needless suffering be averted."
"Wait. The Carrion King you say? I thought that was Kardswan" Ohrmizd looks at the others astonished by the news "If what you say is true, we must confront this gnoll king directly. For must that gnolls have treated me badly, the last thing I wish is to see another bloodshed."
"Those gnoll tribes you talk about, would it be not possible to put them against the Carrion King through creative politics?"
Heshan winced a bit at the suggestion. "I'm afraid that between Haleen and the princess, the prospects have already been claimed... but I will surely keep that in mind once we explore more areas."
---
Heshan came by latter than the rest in his full gear, but he was arrived just in time to hear news of the real Carrion King.
"Kardswan did feel like he had that presence to be the Carrion King. Looks like we have someone even more powerful to contend with."
He sought to add more to Ohrmizd's suggestion. "Do you think the gnolls would like to fight in a more performative manner in the pits? he joked.
"I bring you these rumors as a warning for you to investigate and take actions as you deem best. I don't know how the Carrion King managed to have all the gnoll tribes to act as one. Much less, how to destroy this influence."
"But if you'd choose that path and reach your goal, a lot more gnoll blood would be shed for sure. Ponder that in the light of the Dawnflower."
"I am not all that averse to a lot of gnoll blood being shed; they are slavers and bandits, with no will to reform. I would, however, have no idea how to proceed with 'creative politics' within the gnoll tribes. Another strategic possibility would be defeat in detail, attacking the tribes individually, before they could gather and unite. Roryx, could your guardsmen act as a military unit to confront the tribes? Still, we might be better off challenging this Carrion King directly - if we failed to move quickly enough, even if we defeated a couple of the tribes before they unified, the remainder would still be a large enough force to defeat us."